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15,000 to run 15,000 on Saturday

Randy Lefko
Posted 3/9/15

JACKSONVILLE – The 2012 record was 16,357 runners that crossed the finish line of the annual Gate River Run 15K in downtown Jacksonville, set for March 11, 2017, with an estimate of nearly …

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15,000 to run 15,000 on Saturday


Posted

JACKSONVILLE – The 2012 record was 16,357 runners that crossed the finish line of the annual Gate River Run 15K in downtown Jacksonville, set for March 11, 2017, with an estimate of nearly 14,500 runners set to attend.
Biggest advice on race day from 40-year race director Doug Alred, of 1st Place Sports, is arrive early.
“This is not a normal road race where you can arrive, park close, register and jog to the start line,” said Alred. “Arrive very early. There are four other run events plus the expo going on all at the same time and in the same area.”

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Gate River Run 15K
(Gator Bowl Blvd)
8:30 a.m. Florida Times Unior 5K
(Duval St. by Fairgrounds)
10 a.m. Brooks Rehabilitation
Challenge Mile
11 a.m. Junior River run (One mile
kids run)
11 a.m. Diaper Dash
(Jacksonville Fairgrounds)

Annually finish line numbers have stayed right near the 15,000 athlete mark the past seven years with the 16,357 number attained in 2012.
Ironically, the female runners of the Gate River Run 15K have become more populous since 2011 with the men’s race finishers down 6,458 to 7,958 just last year.
In the 40th anniversary addition on Saturday, with traditional Florida March weather predicted; sunny, cool in the morning, warm as the day progresses, race officials will once again be on the lookout for runners that may have some difficulty with the somewhat challenging course.

Race Day Challenge No. 1:
The arrival
Advice: Arrival way too early, nap, wake, prepare, warmup.
Why: Pretty daunting experience to be just a mile away as the start is prepared and you are stuck in traffic, have to pee and have your race gear in the back of your car. Get to the stadium very, very, very early of the 8:30 a.m. start.
“I would say a 6:30 a.m. arrival is optimum as that gives you mental assurances that you are in the area,” said Alred. “This is a major event with lots going on all day so coming early will set the day off on a good note without the frustration of traffic, parking and all the race day preparations.”
Alred noted that University of Oregon running star Jordan Hasay, a top 3,000 meter and 5,000 meter runner for the NCAA champion Ducks with 10K times near 32 minutes, will be the top athlete coming to the Gate River Run 15K to offer a challenge to the men’s in the Bonus Challenge; a six minute head start for the elite women ahead of the men and a $5,000 bonus for first person across the finish line. Hasay recently set the American record for the half marathon (13.1 miles) at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon (1:08:40).
“If Hasay runs like she is capable, the men’s field will have a tough time catching her,” said Alred. “Although we have a few Kenyas who are now Americans possible, Hasay is very fast.”

Race day challenge No. 2: Start

In the first two miles, the challenge is to stay on one’s feet as the runners, in all their running glory, tend to sprint the first mile down Bay Street to get into the race money photo that will be in numerous newspapers and media that will attend, then make a screeching 90 degree turn, go two blocks, left run then climb the Main Street Bridge.
With the front-runners out; elite mens and womens will start with about 15 minutes ahead of the masses to get clear sailing and fast times, you have to trust that there is a 50-50 chance that those in front of you are not actually faster than you as the tiered starting gates indicates. You will see some strollers, kids, walkers and even guys chatting in front of you despite your ability to actually run six minute mile pace. Be patient and don’t lose energy getting mad at them.
For the rest of you, it’s chaos for about two miles. A rule of thumb is to not expect a personal best unless you have been seeded in the first starting corral. After that, it’s anyone guess who might be in front of you; slow and fast. First time runners who are legit competitors make the mistake of not registering early enough to get in the seeded heats and get caught behind slower runners. If that is you, enjoy the ride, It’s a parade of people from start to finish and you will zigzag all day trying to run your normal fast pace.
Once over the Main Street Bridge and after the left turn on to Prudential, the roads widen, the pace settles and your stride will return to normal. Be patient, have fun, smile. P.S. There are Port-a-Lets along the route if you don’t make one before the start.
The first of two of the longest near-straight sections are from Prudential to River Oaks, about the 2.5 mile mark to the four mile mark. If a surge is possible, this is the spot to separate and get into your normal stride. The second straight section occurs at seven miles as you left on to Atlantic Blvid and head to the Hart Bridge, but that one is the survival straightaway.

Race Day challenge No. 3:
Mid-race weather
The race traditionally starts in near 60 degrees weather and has only had a handful of rain or even snow in the 1992 race, so don’t overdress. Add 15,000 warm bodies to the mix and the heat factor rises until about mile five to six where spacing increases. Race people pick up tossed clothes and create a huge pile at the start area. Don’t wear clothes you treasure.

Race Day challenge No. 4:

Hart Bridge (up)
The first challenge is mentally knowing the the Big Green Monster awaits you run past Bishop Kenny High School, just two miles away. Mentally prepare for it from here. Hydrate, maybe slow the pace just slightly and anticipate a grind once the left turn is made on the “off” ramp just past the Gate station of Atlantic Blvd (will be on the right). As you start up the Hart Bridge, best advice, embrace the scenery; tons of people, a well-manned water spot, the bridge, the river, Everbank Stadium on your left then on your right, then back on your left as you descend. Watch your footing as you go up as it is a pieced together bridge and there are bumps. Once you hit the apex; about 8.5 miles, it will level a bit, you’ll feel relief and then the long descent.

Race Day challenge No. 5:
Hart Bridge (down)

Legs are fried, excitement is overwhelming as the finish looms, did I say, legs are fried? Stay in control of emotions for just another half mile as you descend so as not to stumble from lactic acid in quads. Once you hit the “on” ramp and see Everbank Field just about in front of you, you are probably a mile away and the ramp will level a bit. From here, everyone thinks the finish is close. It is not.
Conserve some energy, until you are just off the front parking lot of Everbank before ramping up for the sprint finish and super photo finish. Make the left and it is still about 600 yards to the finish. Be sure to time this right so your finish line photo is not you stumbling, puking or looking like a “walking dead” for the last 10 yards. Look up, smile, wave and be aware of the sprinting fool behind you bent on breaking his personal best time, but not willing to be careful of others around him. Plenty of crash potential here.

Rachallenge No. 6: ce Day
Finish line

Get the hat. Top 10 percent finishers in both men and womens races get the coveted hat. Though it is hard to do the math on the run, there will be a dash of sorts in the finish line chutes until the boxes are empty. It’s chaotic, but fun to watch. The hats are superb souvenirs.

Race Day challenge No. 7:
Departing

15,000 people leaving one spot is treacherous. Hang out, have a beer or two, get a massage or just sit by the band shell and Jumbotron and watch others finish.